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Assoc. Prof. Bernadette M. Duran

Revisions by:
Mark Vincent C. Espinosa
UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING CALCULATIONS I
UNIT 1 BASIC ENGINEERING CALCULATIONS

A. BASIC SOLVING

1. Problem (Given and Required)

Problems must be understood properly by loading the following requirements:
a. Given
b. Required
c. Solution
d. Answer

The given statements must be analyzed by drawing the Process Flow Diagram:






Boxes and lines/arrows are used as symbols
Includes P, T, V, and n compositions
Includes specification of materials

2. Solution

Solutions must be based on Basic Concepts and Principles, Theories, and Laws






Dimensions are quantities that are measurable
Dimensionless are quantities which are unitless
Dimensional equations are based from theoretical principles and empirical equations
Empirical equations are based on experiments and observations
Types of Equipment
Processes
Operations
Materials in Materials out
Principles
Theories
Laws
Dimensional Equations (Dimensions/Dimensionless)
Retrieved from:
Assoc. Prof. Bernadette M. Duran

Revisions by:
Mark Vincent C. Espinosa
3. Answer to the Problem

Answers must be complete (with proper units)
Correct number of significant figures must be observed
Includes explanation to the answer

B. DIMENSIONS, UNITS, AND CONVERSIONS

Basic Dimensions (Fundamental Quantities)
Mass (kg)
Length (m)
Time (s)
Temperature (K)
Amount of Substance (mol)
Current (A)
Luminous Intensity (candela)

Derived Dimensions (in terms of Basic Dimensions)
Example:
Velocity (m/s)
Density (g/cm
3
)
Acceleration (m/s
2
)

Example no. 1:
The equation given requires the use of Kelvin temperatures:

Develop an equation for

for temperatures in .

Solution:

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Assoc. Prof. Bernadette M. Duran

Revisions by:
Mark Vincent C. Espinosa
Answer:

Dimensional Homogeneity refers to the idea that the units (of a constant or variable) in
mathematical expressions must be consistent.

Example no. 2:
Consider the equation:



a. If the equation is consistent in its units, what are the units of 3 and 4?
b. If the equation is valid, what are the dimensions of the constants 3 and 4?
c. Derive the equation for distance in meters and time in minutes.

Answers:

a. 3

, 4

b. 3

, 4

c.

C. MOLE, CONCENTRATION, AND DENSITY

1. Mole

Amount of substance mol

Mole Concept:
1 mole of any substance = 6.022 x 10
23
particles
1 mole of an element = 6.022 x 10
23
atoms
1 mole of a compound = 6.022 x 10
23
molecules
1 mole of an ion = 6.022 x 10
23
ions
Retrieved from:
Assoc. Prof. Bernadette M. Duran

Revisions by:
Mark Vincent C. Espinosa
mol:
g-atom: amount of an element whose mass in g is equivalent in its atomic weight
g-mol: amount of a compound whose mass in g is equivalent in its molecular weight

2. Basic Methods of Expressing Concentrations
(Let: A solute; B solvent)

a. Weight Percent

b. Volume Percent

c. Mole Percent

d. Molarity

e. Molality

f. ppm

Retrieved from:
Assoc. Prof. Bernadette M. Duran

Revisions by:
Mark Vincent C. Espinosa
3. Density and Specific Gravity

Density is defined as mass per unit volume

For H
2
O at 4C:

Specific gravity of a substance refers to the density of that substance per density of the
reference substance (most often, H
2
O for solids and liquids) at specific conditions

Specific Units of Density
(Let: G specific gravity)

a. Baum

If lighter than H
2
O:

If heavier than H
2
O:

b. Twaddell



c. API (American Petroleum Industry)

D. CHEMICAL REACTION STOICHIOMETRY

Stoichiometry is a branch of chemistry that deals with the relative quantities of reactants and
products in chemical reactions.



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Assoc. Prof. Bernadette M. Duran

Revisions by:
Mark Vincent C. Espinosa
Balancing REDOX Equation using Oxidation Number Method

Example no. 3:
Balance the following chemical equations:

(+1) (+6) (2) (+1) (2) (0) (+4) (2) (+1) (2) (+1) (+3) (2)
K
2
Cr
2
O
7
+ H
2
O + S SO
2
+ KOH + Cr
2
O
3


3 e

x 2 = 6 e

x 2 = 12 e

gained


4 e

lost x 3 = 12 e

lost

4 K 4
4 Cr 4
3 S 3
4 H 4
16 O 16

Answer: 2K
2
Cr
2
O
7
+ 2H
2
O + 3S 3SO
2
+ 4KOH + 2Cr
2
O
3



Stoichiometric relations are based on balanced chemical equations.
(From Example no. 3: 2 g-mol of K
2
Cr
2
O
7
= 2 g-mol of H
2
O = 3 g-atom of S = 3 g-mol of SO
2
= 4 g-
mol of KOH = 2 g-mol of Cr
2
O
3
)

Limiting and Excess Reactant
Limiting reactant limits the reaction; reactant that can be completely converted into
product
Excess reactant reactant remaining when all of the limiting reactant was converted to
product; reactant present in excess

Theoretical amount is the amount calculated based on the supplied quantity of the limiting
reactant.
Actual amount is the amount based on the given restrictions in the reactions (e.g. 80%
completion).

Theoretical amount of excess is the amount required for the limiting reactant to react
completely into product.











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Assoc. Prof. Bernadette M. Duran

Revisions by:
Mark Vincent C. Espinosa
Excess amount is the difference between the supplied and theoretical amount.
Unreacted amount is the difference between the supplied and the amount of reactant
reacted into product.






(

)

Let: N
R
coefficient of reactant; N
L
coefficient of the limiting reactant

Law of Conservation of Mass
Mass of the reactants = total mass of the supplied reactants
Mass of the products = total mass of all of the unreacted reactants and the products formed